Technique focuses on the internal experiences and not on the expression through speech. It is grounded in the human truth of the moment. It helps actors to become emotionally free enough so that their body, mind, spirit, thoughts and speech are able to be combined in one full and true expression. To create real feelings and thoughts under imaginary circumstances. To make use of their knowledge of human psychology, the process of conditioning, the interaction between the conscious and the subconscious and the process of creative imagination. It helps actors to get rid of their inhibitions, blockage and to eliminate bad habits of voice and movement, so they will be able to express the uniqueness of their character. They become actors with interesting behavior and imagination. It helps the actors to go beyond the writers words and intentions, so that they can elevate the material and make it their own, giving it their own color. It allows their impulses to surface, to have an inner life and subtext, to trust their instinct and to allow their silences.
Important components of the Method or the Strasberg technique are the relaxation exercises and the sense memory exercises. Relaxation exercises will release the mental and physical tension in the body. It will help you concentrate and will give you control of yourself, which is very important in order to give a great performance. The sense memory exercises trains our senses to respond on the stage as they do in life. By concentrating on the stimuli associated with a sensory experience, a corresponding response should follow. And that response will be “real”, not just a conventional “indication” of the response. Sensory reality will create true emotions and concentration. The Strasberg technique accesses the unconscious creative self using an actors own intuition and imagination. It will allow your impulses to surface, to have an inner life and subtext, to trust your instinct and to allow silences. You will learn how to interpret life in all its facets, so that your experiences can be called upon in the expression of art. You will also find that you get to know yourself better and that it will benefit you in your personal life.
Among the actors who practice Lee’s technique are, Daniel Day-Lewis, Adrien Brody, Al Pacino, Robert de Niro, Johnny Depp, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Matthew McConaughey, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando and many more.
You, too, can be a part of this great lineage!
